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Abstract

Sexual minorities have poorer mental and physical health than heterosexuals; these health disparities are consistently attributed to discrimination. However, the mechanisms linking discrimination with health outcomes remain unclear. This exploratory study examines whether fast-acting mechanisms, like the minority stress model's “stressful social environment[s],” contribute to these disparities by exploiting the unanticipated election of Donald Trump on November 8, 2016. Gay men and lesbians participated in a 10-day longitudinal daily-diary study, beginning the day before the election (November 7–16, 2016). On the day after the election, participants reported immediate changes in health (e.g., depression, Cohen’s d = 1.33; illness, 0.44), well-being (e.g., happiness, −0.91), and discrimination (0.45). The immediacy and magnitude of participants’ responses are consistent with the minority stress model. This study provides a window into the experiences of gay men and lesbians, and illustrates how minority stresses, such as political uncertainty and discrimination, may impact vulnerable sexual minorities.

Keywords

discrimination sexual orientation American politics health disparities minority stress model

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Gay and Lesbian Experiences of Discrimination,Health,and Well-Being

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